Towing with a Volvo sc 60

Drewl · 02-19-2023, 04:23 PM

Hi all. My Sis has a 2016 Volvo sc60 T5 Tow rating is 3500 lbs. shes looking at a 2015 Jayco 195RB. what do you think of this combo? I think thats too much trailer to tow safely. She was told its only 3000 lbs. NO PROBLEM. Maybe an rpod or tent trailer would be ok, I'm sure someone on here will agree with me. Thanks

**JRTJH** · 02-19-2023, 04:46 PM

I have a 2019 Ford Edge with a 3500 pound 3500 pound trailer rating and the same displacement engine (2.0L turbo). I am reluctant to even pull a 5x7 covered utility trailer and WILL NOT (note the caps) hitch our snowmobile trailer, which weighs in at 2900 pounds with two snowmobiles in it, or the Slingshot on its aluminum trailer (weighing in at 3100 pounds) behind the Edge...

As for hitching a 21'8" travel trailer that's almost 9' tall, 7'+ wide weighing in at 2800 pounds dry with a 700 pound cargo rating (3500 total GVWR) ????? Especially when you consider that 700 pounds barely covers camping supplies and food for a weekend trip once the propane tanks are filled and a battery and spare tire are added to the mix.....

Not to add "insult to injury" but the Volvo tow bar ball for the T5 FWD is rated at 75kg (165 pounds) and the AWD tow bar ball is rated at 90 kg (198.5 pounds). If I recall correctly, Volvo does not permit the installation of a larger receiver to their "unitized body" so you can't install a Reese or other aftermarket receiver under the car and without that, there's no way to install a weight distribution system, something that's MANDATORY for any "large sidewall trailer" so you can get some sort of sway control.... Plus, what is she going to do for trailer brakes ???

Not only NO, but "HECK NO !!!!!"

**chuckster57** · 02-19-2023, 04:47 PM

https://www.rvusa.com/rv-guide/2015-...-195rb-tr21292

GVWR is 3500 pounds. Dry weight is 2800 so add battery, propane and gear and you’re close to gross for the trailer.

Would I do it? Probably not, too close for comfort.

**sourdough** · 02-19-2023, 05:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JRTJH

I have a 2019 Ford Edge with a 3500 pound 3500 pound trailer rating and the same displacement engine (2.0L turbo). I am reluctant to even pull a 5x7 covered utility trailer and WILL NOT (note the caps) hitch our snowmobile trailer, which weighs in at 2900 pounds with two snowmobiles in it, or the Slingshot on its aluminum trailer (weighing in at 3100 pounds) behind the Edge...

As for hitching a 21'8" travel trailer that's almost 9' tall, 7'+ wide weighing in at 2800 pounds dry with a 700 pound cargo rating (3500 total GVWR) ????? Especially when you consider that 700 pounds barely covers camping supplies and food for a weekend trip once the propane tanks are filled and a battery and spare tire are added to the mix.....

Not to add "insult to injury" but the Volvo tow bar ball for the T5 FWD is rated at 75kg (165 pounds) and the AWD tow bar ball is rated at 90 kg (198.5 pounds). If I recall correctly, Volvo does not permit the installation of a larger receiver to their "unitized body" so you can't install an EZ lift or Reese receiver under the car and without that, there's no way to install a weight distribution system, something that's MANDATORY for any "large sidewall trailer" so you can get some sort of sway control.... Plus, what is she going to do for trailer brakes ???

Not only NO, but "HECK NO !!!!!"

^^^^OP THIS is your answer! My Toyota SUV has a tow rating of 5000lbs. In reality that means absolutely nothing and if one tried to follow that they only put themselves and others in danger. I wouldn't start to consider the trailer you mentioned on my SUV. No, NO and HECK NO!!!

notanlines · 02-20-2023, 03:44 AM

What they^^^^said. From top to bottom this is a bad idea. Repeating what was said, a unibody short wheelbase SUV is not a tow vehicle for any RV.

travelin texans · 02-20-2023, 08:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Drewl

Hi all. My Sis has a 2016 Volvo sc60 T5 Tow rating is 3500 lbs. shes looking at a 2015 Jayco 195RB. what do you think of this combo? I think thats too much trailer to tow safely. She was told its only 3000 lbs. NO PROBLEM. Maybe an rpod or tent trailer would be ok, I'm sure someone on here will agree with me. Thanks

I sure EVERYONE on here will agree with you!
That SUV is/was designed to haul 5, maybe 7 if equipped, people & groceries, but was never designed nor equipped to tow anything of any size or weight.
If there's anyone telling her that it's OK to tow that rv have them give her in writing & properly notarized that any damage to her vehicle or bodily injury to her or anyone due that vehicles inability to safely tow that rv will be their sole financial & legal responsibility before she ever considers purchasing it.

Drewl · 02-20-2023, 01:58 PM

Thanks to all who posted. I'll let her read these replies. You've all just verified what I told her and hubby already.

dutchmensport · 02-20-2023, 02:15 PM

If there is a hitch on the back of that vehicle, it was put there to carry a bicycle carrier with (maybe) a couple bicycles. More than that, you don't want to put on there. Just because it has a hitch does not mean it can tow. That vehicle is a people mover, not a tow mover.

NH_Bulldog · 02-20-2023, 02:36 PM

About the only thing I would even remotely consider towing with that is an A-Liner. The smallest, lightest one they make! Scout-Lite or Ranger 10

fjr vfr · 02-20-2023, 02:55 PM

They also need to consider what's in the tow vehicle itself. Two adults and everything else can reduce their tow capacity. Ditto to what everyone has said.

thefulminator · 02-26-2023, 08:39 AM

Read this and decide.

https://www.etrailer.com/faq-how-muc...can-I-tow.aspx

Markjonesf18 · 02-26-2023, 03:18 PM

It is not only the tow capacity of the vehicle, but the stopping power of your brakes and pads for added mass of a trailer. Trucks and vehicles come with an optional tow package that includes larger brake pads/discs. I suspect the volvo currently has pads to only stop the vehicle. Adding a trailer will double the total weight and I doubt the brake and pads will stop the total mass in time. Secondly, a tow package includes stabilizer bars to equal out the weight distribution (on top of the stabilizers used at the tow hitch). Again the volvo does not have this as a standard package. Finally, as another person indicated, the Volvo hitch weight is probably under rated for a trailer's tongue weight.
Good luck on your search.

rlh1957 · 02-27-2023, 09:21 AM

SC60 series are great grocery getters, road trip vehicles but not a car built for towing anything more than a flat utility trailer with a golf cart.
Anything more than 1500lbs and you’d be better and safer served shopping for a better tow vehicle. Easy to overload with people, food, LP, accessories.
Can you tow with an SC60? Yes. Is it a vehicle that should be used to tow campers, Not Really.
Research it more with SC60 owners and forums before deciding.

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